19-year-old Nishesh Basavareddy made a strong debut in his first Grand Slam match. The Indian-origin American player showcased his potential with a fierce performance against his idol, Novak Djokovic, in the first round of the 2025 Australian Open.
Although Nishesh did not win, the crowd applauded his performance with a standing ovation, recognizing his fearless, free-flowing tennis and impressive mental toughness on Monday, January 13.
Nishesh, who proudly displays a photo of Djokovic as his WhatsApp profile picture, seized the chance of a lifetime and made a memorable impact. After their intense 2-hour-59-minute match — the longest of Nishesh’s young career — Djokovic became a new admirer of the rising star.
"He (Nishesh) was the better player for a set and a half. He truly deserved the applause he received when he left the court," Djokovic said after winning the first-round match 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.
"Honestly, I hadn’t seen him play until 3 or 4 days ago, so I didn’t know much about him. Matches like these are always tricky when you’re up against someone with nothing to lose. It was his first-ever Grand Slam match. He really impressed me with his shots and fighting spirit, especially towards the end. I wish him all the best for his future," he added.
Nishesh turned professional in December 2024, giving up his college eligibility after two years at Stanford University. In Melbourne, he showcased an impressive all-around game that challenged the 24-time Grand Slam champion. To the surprise of fans, analysts, and even Djokovic’s coach Andy Murray, Nishesh claimed the first set 6-4, playing with remarkable flair and composure for a debutant on such a big stage.
Nishesh's serve and defense, influenced by Djokovic's playing style, held strong for much of the early match. Djokovic only managed to break Nishesh’s serve in the second half of the second set, taking advantage of a momentum shift that the experienced Serb fully capitalized on.
A muscle strain in Nishesh's left leg at the end of the second set required medical attention during the break. Although his movement seemed limited at the start of the third set, he quickly recovered and regained his form.
In the first set, Nishesh served and returned better than Djokovic, finishing with an impressive 72% first serve win percentage. However, it was his second serve that let him down in the third and fourth sets. Despite this, Nishesh displayed an all-around game that, with further development, could lead to impressive results in the future. Whether from the baseline or surprising with his backhand, Nishesh executed a wide variety of shots with confidence and precision. A perfectly timed forehand pass even earned applause from Djokovic himself.
Nishesh will gain valuable experience from his time in Melbourne. Mentored by doubles specialist Rajeev Ram, the 19-year-old has proven his ability to fight at the highest level. Nishesh has started the season strong, reaching the semi-finals of an ATP 250 event in Auckland last week. Last year, he won two Challenger titles and reached the final in four other events.
